Photo: BSSDHAKA, March 4, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) today inaugurated a two-day referee assessors workshop at the BFF Bhaban aimed at enhancing the standard of domestic refereeing and strengthening the evaluation system. Referee assessors from across the country are participating in the workshop. Tayyab Hasan Shamsuzzaman and Sujit Kumar Banerjee, who are providing training on modern methods of referee evaluation and performance analysis. Wahid Uddin Chowdhury Happy formally inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest. He added that discussions are underway with the government to enhance the quality of refereeing and ensure necessary benefits referring.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone attack in targeting its massive Ras Tanura refinery, the defence ministry said Wednesday, following an earlier hit on the complex along its Gulf coast this week. "Initial estimates indicate that the attack was carried out by a drone and did not result in any damage," the ministry said in a statement posted on X. On Monday, some operations at the Ras Tanura refinery were halted following an attack that caused a fire at the complex. The Ras Tanura facility along the kingdom's eastern Gulf coast is home to one of the largest refineries in the entire Middle East and a cornerstone of the kingdom's energy sector. Gulf states have accused Tehran of targeting energy installations across the region amid waves of Iranian barrages fired at its neighbours since the US and Israel launched a massive air campaign against Iran.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Huq Chowdhury today exchanged views with the official and employees of different agencies under the labour and employment ministry at Shrama Bhaban at Bijoy Nagar Area. Photo : PIDDHAKA, March 4,2026 (BSS) – Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Huq Chowdhury today warned that no negligence will be accepted in the public service. “To ensure public services, every body should perform their duty with due consciousness and integrity”, he said. The minister urged the concerned officials to provide workers harassment free services after ensuring personal responsibility in every stage during this time. The minister also gave directives for preparing a full-fledged roaster quickly of the beneficiaries of 32 labour welfare centres for development of the services.

Road, Rail and Water Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has directed authorities to ensure congestion - free roads to facilitate safe and uninterrupted travel for passengers during Eid -ul-Fitr 2026. He issued the directive at a preparatory meeting held at the Bridge Division conference room on Tuesday, ahead of the upcoming Eid . The meeting was chaired by Bridge Division Secretary and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority Mohammad Abdur Rouf. Officials from the Bridge Division, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority and project directors of its ongoing projects were also present. At the meeting, the minister said the prime minister has instructed all concerned authorities to ensure that Eid travel remains safe, smooth and comfortable for people across the country.

Israel’s military announced a new wave of strikes on government infrastructure in Tehran Wednesday, following reports of a heavy explosion in the eastern part of the city. Meanwhile, France has deployed Rafale fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates to intercept Iranian drones targeting French forces stationed there, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said, reports Al Jazeera. The jets, based at Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi, were tasked with protecting hundreds of French navy, air force, and army personnel from Iranian attacks. President Emmanuel Macron also announced that France is sending its flagship aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean in response to the widening conflict in the Middle East. Barrot emphasized that the deployments aim to safeguard French personnel and facilities in the UAE while maintaining regional stability amid escalating hostilities following Israeli and US strikes on Iranian targets.

The government has reassigned the portfolios of eight state ministers, reducing the number of ministries under their charge. The responsibilities of two advisers to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have also been expanded. Advisers’ roles expandedIn a separate notification, the government expanded the responsibilities of two of the 10 advisers to the prime minister. On February 17, the 10 advisers were appointed with the rank of minister and state minister in the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Earlier, the prime minister was sworn in along with 25 full ministers and 24 state ministers.

Photo : PIDDHAKA, March 4, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has directed members of the Bangladesh Police to strictly maintain the chain of command and work in the best interests of the country's citizens. "Establish the chain of command in Bangladesh Police. The high officials of the force can communicate to any level if required, but officials at the lower levels must follow the chain of command," he said. The minister directed officials to intensify drives to recover illegal firearms and bring terrorists and extortionists to justice. Senior officials of the DMP, including Additional Police Commissioners, Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, and Officers-in-Charge, were present at the meeting.

File PhotoDHAKA, March 4, 2026 (BSS) - Biman Bangladesh Airlines today said passengers holding tickets for its temporarily suspended Middle East routes will be able to receive full refunds without additional charges or change their travel dates free of cost. The national flag carrier said flights to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait and Dammam have been suspended since February 28 due to the evolving situation in the Middle East and will remain halted until further notice. However, Biman continues to operate its other Middle East services to Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh and Muscat according to the regular schedule. Biman authorities said passengers who purchased tickets for the temporarily suspended routes during the affected period can obtain the refund or date change facility without any additional charge. Biman Bangladesh Airlines said the safety and security of passengers remain its highest priority, adding that the airline is closely monitoring the Middle East situation and will provide further updates as necessary.

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on Monday when Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during US-Israeli strikes over the weekend. In Aramoun and Saadiyat south of Beirut -- two towns outside Hezbollah’s traditional strongholds -- the health ministry said Israeli strikes killed six people and wounded eight others. Hezbollah carried out a series of strikes against Israel on Tuesday, claiming to have targeted sites including the northern Haifa naval base in retaliation for Israeli strikes in southern Beirut. Since Monday, Israeli strikes have killed at least 50 people and wounded 335 in Lebanon, the health ministry said before the overnight strikes. Israeli forces also launched a ground incursion on Tuesday, advancing into a border area in southern Lebanon, a Lebanese army source told AFP.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hit back on Wednesday at US President Donald Trump’s criticisms of Madrid’s refusal to let US planes use its bases to attack Iran. “The position of the government of Spain can be summed up in four words: no to war,” he said in a televised address, a day after Trump threatened to sever all trade with Spain. He also pointed to Sanchez’s refusal to join Nato allies in a pledge to boost defense spending to five percent of GDP as demanded by Trump, who has frequently argued that the United States shoulders too much of the alliance’s burden. Sanchez’s leftist government has angered Washington with a series of other policies, including his staunch opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza and the military operation to abduct and arrest President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Spain, then led by conservative prime minister Jose Maria Aznar, staunchly backed the United States.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, March 4, 2026 (BSS)-Following an impressive performance against China in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the Bangladesh women's national football team conducted their recovery training session at Jubilee Stadium in Sydney today (Wednesday). Those, who played fewer minutes in China match, participated in a separate forty five minutes drill session under the supervision of head coach Peter Butler to maintain match sharpness and intensity. The session concluded with an ice recovery protocol to support muscle regeneration and overall recovery. All players are doing well and have reported no serious injuries, aside from minor soreness following the Bangladesh’s first match. The team resumes their training tomorrow (Thursday) morning at the same venue ahead of thee second match.

Iran’s slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be buried in the holy city of Mashhad, the Fars news agency said Tuesday. Khamenei, who led the country for 36 years, was killed at 86 during a wave of US-Israeli attacks on Saturday. He was originally from Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city, where his father is buried at the Imam Reza shrine. Fars, citing an official familiar with the process, reported that “for security reasons,” the assembly’s final meeting could be postponed until after Khamenei’s burial. Iranian media said the building housing the 88-member body in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran, was hit Tuesday by US-Israeli strikes.

The US military said it has hit nearly 2,000 targets since first launching deadly strikes with Israel on Iran on Saturday that killed Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel kept up the bombardment, with its military announcing a “broad wave of strikes” after midnight across Iran, which in the hours before had launched three waves of missile barrages at Israel. Early Wednesday, the Israeli military called on residents to leave 16 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, in an “urgent warning” before using force against Hezbollah militants. In Aramoun and Saadiyat -- two towns south of Beirut and outside the Hezbollah’s traditional strongholds -- the health ministry said Israeli strikes killed six people and wounded eight. Israeli strikes have killed at least 52 people in Lebanon, according to the government, while the United Nations said that more than 30,000 people were displaced.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said the government has begun preparing comprehensive lists of criminals and extortionists across the country as part of a decisive drive to restore law and order. “We're preparing the lists of extortionists and criminals in an unbiased way from across the country starting from Dhaka,” he said. The minister made the remarks after a meeting with senior officials of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and officers-in-charge (OCs) of 50 police stations under its jurisdiction at the DMP headquarters. The home minister called upon police officials to carry out their duties with professionalism and integrity to ensure public safety and maintain law and order across the capital and beyond. He expressed hope that coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies and the government would help curb criminal activities and extortion, reinforcing public confidence in the justice system.

Atletico Madrid advanced to their first Copa del Rey final in 13 years despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to defending champions Barcelona in the second leg of their semifinal on Tuesday. Atletico progressed 4-3 on aggregate, thanks to their commanding 4-0 victory in the first leg at the Metropolitano Stadium last month. Coached by Diego Simeone, Atletico will play in the Copa final for the first time since winning their 10th title in the 2012-13 season. Barcelona, the Spanish league leaders with a four-point advantage over Real Madrid, were aiming to defend their Copa title after defeating Real Madrid in last year’s final. Both Atletico and Barcelona remain in the Champions League round of 16.